METHOD, SYSTEM AND MEDIA FOR WIRELESS PROCESS CONTROL OF MOBILE EQUIPMENT

• US 20110053624A1
• Filed: 01/24/2008
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suncor Energy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Suncor Energy Incorporated
• Inventors: Trottier, Derrick, Haggett, Jamie
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,376 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/507
• CPC Class Codes: E21C 41/26 Methods of surface mining machines for obtaining, or the removal of, materials in open-pit mines E21C47/00; Layouts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21C 41/31 for oil-bearing deposits
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 17/18 Special adaptations of signalling or alarm devices for mine lifts B66B; gas-sensitive devices per se G01N
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge

Abstract

A system for wireless process control comprises at least a first wireless network, which is used to communicate real-time instructions and data between one or more pieces of mobile equipment to at least one other piece of mobile equipment. In one variant, a second wireless network is provided, using a different radio frequency band, to concurrently communicate the same or substantially the same real-time instructions and data as are communicated over the first wireless network.

Claims

1. A system for real-time remote monitoring and control of mobile mining equipment using at least two concurrently operational wireless networks, the system comprising:

(a) a first mobile mining process train comprising a first plurality of mobile mining equipment including a first mobile slurry facility operative to receive and process mined material from other equipment in the first mobile mining process train;

(b) a first plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers each positioned on a corresponding one of the first plurality of mobile mining equipment, each of the first plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers operative to collect a set of status and operational data from the corresponding one of the first plurality of mobile mining equipment, and operative to control at least one feature of the corresponding one of the first plurality of mobile mining equipment, wherein each of the first plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers are positioned in communication with;

(i) a first wireless bridge, positioned on the corresponding one of the first plurality of mobile mining equipment, operative to communicate according to a first radio frequency band, operative to transmit the first set of status and operational data for processing, and operative to receive data and instructions for controlling the corresponding equipment data collector and controller; and

(ii) a second wireless bridge, positioned on the corresponding one of the first plurality of mobile mining equipment, operative to communicate according to a second radio frequency band substantially different from the first radio frequency band, operative to transmit, concurrent with the same or substantially the same data transmitted by the first wireless bridge, the first set of status and operational data for further processing, and operative to receive, concurrent with the same or substantially the same data and instructions received by the first wireless bridge, data and instructions for controlling the corresponding equipment data collector and controller;

wherein the first wireless bridges collectively form a first wireless network and the second wireless bridges collectively form a second wireless network, and wherein the data collector and controller positioned on the first mobile slurry facility is further operative to receive status and operational data concurrently over both the first wireless network and the second wireless network from each of the other data collectors and controllers positioned on the other pieces of equipment in the first mobile mining process train; and

(c) a host equipment control computer operative to communicate with first plurality of mobile mining equipment via the first mobile slurry facility, and operative to control at least a set of features on the first mobile mining process train, the host equipment control computer comprising an equipment monitoring and control program stored on a computer-readable media, the program comprising computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to;

(i) monitor for and process status and operational data specific to each of the pieces of equipment in the first mobile mining process train, received via both the first and second wireless bridges positioned on the first mobile slurry facility, including control data and run status data for each piece of equipment in the first mobile mining process train; and

(ii) provide at least part of each set of status and operational data for display on a user interface displayed on a display device connected to at least one of the host equipment control computer and a remote computer in communication with the host equipment control computer.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the equipment monitoring and control program comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to:

(i) provide a network activity alert signal to the user interface if one of the first and second wireless networks is interrupted including if communication is lost with any wireless bridge in one of the first and second wireless networks for at least a predetermined time limit; and

(ii) provide an equipment failure alert signal if the run status data received for any equipment in the first mobile mining process train indicates that the corresponding piece of equipment has a failure falling within a predetermined class of critical failures, wherein the equipment failure alert signal identifies the corresponding piece of equipment which has failed.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the equipment monitoring and control program comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to:

(i) initiate, in response to the equipment failure alert signal, a first type of shutdown of at least a portion of the first mobile mining process train affected by an equipment failure, wherein the first type of shutdown is adapted to occur according to a first predetermined shutdown sequence adapted to at least the portion of the first mobile mining process train affected by the equipment failure.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the equipment monitoring and control program comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to:

(i) monitor, according to a predetermined verification schedule, the operability of each of the first and second wireless networks by transmitting, via the first mobile slurry facility, unique device identifiers to each of the first and second wireless bridges positioned on the equipment in the first mobile mining process train and, for each unique device identifier transmitted, monitoring for receipt, via the corresponding wireless bridge positioned on the first mobile slurry facility, of a receipt confirmation signal in less than the predetermined time limit from the corresponding wireless bridge of the corresponding piece of equipment in the first mobile mining process train;

(ii) provide a network failure alert signal to the user interface if both of the first and second wireless networks are concurrently interrupted for at least the predetermined time limit; and

(iii) initiate, in response to the network failure alert signal, a second type of shutdown of at least the portion of the first mobile mining process train affected by the failure of the first and second wireless networks, wherein the second type of shutdown is adapted to occur according to a second predetermined shutdown sequence adapted at least to the portion of the first mobile mining process train affected by the failure of the first and second wireless networks.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of mobile mining equipment further comprises at least one of:

(a) a mobile comminuting device operative to receive and cause a mined material to have pieces of material that do not exceed a predetermined size;

(b) a mobile mining conveyor hopper operative to receive the mined material from the mobile sizer;

(c) a mobile mining conveyor operative to receive the mined material from the mobile mining conveyor hopper and to transport the mined material for processing by the mobile slurry facility; and

(d) a mobile excavator.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the equipment data collector and controller positioned on the mobile slurry facility is adapted to:

(a) monitor, via both the first and second wireless networks, a first set of operating conditions associated with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(b) commence a shutdown sequence for the mobile slurry facility if, as one of the first set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile mining conveyor;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile mining conveyor;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile mining conveyor;

(iv) a communications failure with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(v) a misalignment of the mobile mining conveyor in association with the mobile slurry facility beyond a first predetermined set of alignment parameters.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the equipment data collector and controller positioned on the mobile slurry facility is adapted to:

(a) monitor, via both the first and second wireless networks, a second set of operating conditions associated with at least one of the mobile excavator, the mobile comminuting device and a hydro-transport booster pump; and

(b) commence a shutdown sequence for the mobile slurry facility if, as one of the second set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in

association with the mobile excavator or the hydro-transport booster pump, indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in downstream pumps associated with the hydro-transport booster pump;

(ii) a communications failure with the mobile excavator;

(iii) a communications failure with the mobile comminuting device; and

(iv) a communications failure with the hydro-transport booster pump.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the equipment data collector and controller positioned on the mobile mining conveyor is adapted to:

(a) monitor, via both the first and second wireless networks, a third set of operating conditions associated with the mobile mining conveyor hopper; and

(b) commence a shutdown sequence for the mobile mining conveyor if, as one of the third set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor hopper indicating a communications failure with the mobile mining conveyor hopper.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the equipment data collector and controller positioned on the mobile mining conveyor is adapted to:

(a) monitor, via both the first and second wireless networks, a fourth set of operating conditions associated with the mobile slurry facility; and

(b) commence a shutdown sequence for the mobile mining conveyor if, as one of the fourth set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile slurry facility indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile slurry facility;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile slurry facility;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile slurry facility; and

(iv) a communications failure with the mobile slurry facility.

10. The system according to claim 5, wherein the equipment data collector and controller positioned on the mobile comminuting device is adapted to:

(i) monitor, via both the first and second wireless networks, a fifth set of operating conditions associated with the mobile mining conveyor hopper; and

(ii) commence a shutdown sequence for the mobile comminuting device if, as one of the fifth set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor hopper indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile mining conveyor hopper;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile mining conveyor hopper;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile mining conveyor hopper; and

(iv) a communications failure with mobile mining conveyor hopper.

11. The system according to claim 5, wherein the equipment data collector and controller positioned on the mobile comminuting device is further adapted to:

(a) monitor, via both the first and second wireless networks, a sixth set of operating conditions associated with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(b) commence a shutdown sequence for the mobile comminuting device if, as one of the sixth set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile mining conveyor;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile mining conveyor;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(iv) a communications failure with mobile mining conveyor.

12. The system according to claim 5, wherein the host equipment control computer is adapted to permit a user to control at least one piece of equipment making up the first mobile mining process train via at least one of the host equipment control computer and the remote computer, including to control at least one of the mobile slurry facility, the mobile excavator and the mobile comminuting device.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the remote computer is a wireless personal computing device adapted to control at least one piece of equipment making up the first mobile mining process train via the first and second wireless networks.

14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a third wireless network for communicating, over a third radio frequency band substantially different from the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band, audio data or video data collected via the first plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the audio data or video data is transmitted from the first plurality of mobile mining equipment to the host equipment control computer via the third wireless network.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the host equipment control computer is adapted to control, via at least one of the first, second and third wireless networks, video cameras positioned on the first plurality of mobile mining equipment.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the third wireless network is established using an available frequency band available on the second wireless bridges, wherein the available frequency band is the third frequency band.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a second mobile mining process train remote from the first mobile mining process train, the second mobile mining process train comprising a second plurality of mobile mining equipment including a second mobile slurry facility;

(b) a second plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers each positioned on a corresponding one of the second plurality of mobile mining equipment, each of the second plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers operative to collect a set of status and operational data from the corresponding one of the second plurality of mobile mining equipment, and operative to control at least one feature of the corresponding one of the second plurality of mobile mining equipment, wherein each of the second plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers is in communication with;

(i) a third wireless bridge, configured to communicate according to a third radio frequency band and positioned on the corresponding one of the second plurality of mobile mining equipment, operative to transmit the second set of status and operational data for processing and operative to receive data and instructions for controlling the corresponding equipment data collector and controller; and

(ii) a fourth wireless bridge, positioned on the corresponding one of the second plurality of mobile mining equipment, operative to communicate according to a fourth radio frequency band substantially different from the third radio frequency band, operative to transmit, concurrent with the same or substantially the same data transmitted by the third wireless bridge, the first set of status and operational data for central processing, and operative to receive, concurrent with the same or substantially the same data and instructions received by the third wireless bridge, data and instructions for controlling the corresponding equipment data collector and controller;

wherein the third wireless bridges collectively form a third wireless network and the fourth wireless bridges collectively form a fourth wireless network, and wherein the data collector and controller positioned on the second mobile slurry facility is further operative to receive status and operational data concurrently over both the third wireless network and the fourth wireless network from each of the other data collectors and controllers positioned on the other pieces of equipment in the second mobile mining process train; and

(c) wherein the equipment monitoring and control program further comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to;

(i) monitor for and process status and operational data specific to each of the pieces of equipment in the second mobile mining process train, received via both the third and fourth wireless bridges positioned on the second mobile slurry facility, including control data and run status data for each piece of equipment in the second mobile mining process train;

(ii) provide at least part of each set of status and operational data received in association with the second mobile mining process train for display on the user interface displayed on the display device connected to at least one of the host equipment control computer and the remote computer in communication with the host equipment control computer;

(iii) provide a second network activity alert signal to the user interface if one of the third and fourth wireless networks is interrupted including if communication is lost with any wireless bridge in one of the third and fourth wireless networks for at least the predetermined time limit; and

(iv) provide a second equipment failure alert signal if the run status data received for any equipment in the second mobile mining process train indicates that the corresponding piece of equipment has a failure falling within the predetermined class of critical failures, wherein the equipment failure alert signal identifies the corresponding piece of equipment which has failed.

19. A method of monitoring and controlling a plurality of mobile mining equipment, the method comprising:

(a) establishing a first wireless network for monitoring and controlling the plurality of mobile mining equipment, including configuring a first set of wireless bridges comprising a plurality of first wireless bridges, each first wireless bridge positioned on one of the plurality of mobile mining equipment, to communicate according to a first radio frequency band;

(b) establishing a second wireless network for monitoring and controlling the plurality of mobile mining equipment concurrently with the first wireless network, including configuring a second set of wireless bridges comprising a plurality of second wireless bridges, each second wireless bridge positioned on one of the plurality of mobile mining equipment, to communicate according to a second radio frequency band substantially different from the first radio frequency band, wherein the second set of wireless bridges communicate substantially concurrently the same or substantially the same data transmitted by corresponding ones of the first set of wireless bridges;

(c) collecting a set of status and operational data from each of the plurality of mobile mining equipment via at least one equipment data collector and controller positioned on each of the plurality of mobile mining equipment so as to form collected sets of status and operational data;

(d) transmitting, over the first and second wireless networks, the collected sets of status and operational data from the first and second wireless bridges positioned on the plurality of mobile mining equipment to a host equipment control computer;

(e) processing, with the host equipment control computer, at least part of the collected sets of status and operational data received from the first and second wireless bridges via the first and second wireless networks; and

(f) providing at least part of the collected sets of status and operational data for display on a user interface of a field operator'"'"'s personal computing device operative to remotely monitor and control at least a portion of the features of the plurality of mobile mining equipment.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

(a) monitoring for and detecting an interruption in communication over at least one of the first and second wireless networks for at least a predetermined time limit; and

(b) in response to detecting an interruption in communication over only one of the first and second wireless networks for at least the predetermined time limit, providing a network interruption alert signal to at least one of the field operator'"'"'s personal computing device and the host equipment control computer.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

(a) in response to detecting an interruption in communications over both of the first and second wireless networks for at least the predetermined time limit,

(i) providing a network failure alert signal to the field operator'"'"'s personal computing device and the host equipment control computer; and

(ii) initiating a first type of shutdown of at least the one or more pieces of equipment in the plurality of mobile mining equipment affected by the interruption in communications over both of the first and second wireless networks for at least the predetermined time limit.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

(a) monitoring for and detecting, via at least one of the equipment data collectors and controllers, a first type of equipment failure on at least on piece of equipment from among the plurality of mobile mining equipment; and

(b) in response to detecting the first type of equipment failure,

(i) providing an equipment failure alert signal to at least the host equipment control computer, wherein the equipment failure alert signal identifies the corresponding equipment which has failed and the particular type of failure; and

(ii) initiating a second type of shutdown of at least the one or more pieces of equipment in the plurality of mobile mining equipment affected by the first type of equipment failure.

23. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in the execution of any one of the method of claim 19.

24. A system for real-time remote monitoring and control of mobile mining equipment, the system comprising:

(a) means for establishing a first wireless network for monitoring and controlling the plurality of mobile mining equipment, including configuring a first set of wireless bridges comprising a plurality of first wireless bridges, each first wireless bridge positioned on one of the plurality of mobile mining equipment, to communicate according to a first radio frequency band;

(b) means for collecting a set of status and operational data from each of the plurality of mobile mining equipment via at least one equipment data collector and controller positioned on each of the plurality of mobile mining equipment so as to form collected sets of status and operational data;

(c) means for transmitting over the first wireless network the collected sets of status and operational data from the first wireless bridges positioned on the plurality of mobile mining equipment to a host equipment control computer;

(d) means for processing, with the host equipment control computer, at least part of the collected sets of status and operational data received from the first wireless bridges via the first wireless network; and

(e) means for providing at least part of the collected sets of status and operational data for display on a user interface of a field operator'"'"'s personal computing device operative to remotely monitor and control at least a portion of the features of the plurality of mobile mining equipment.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for establishing a second wireless network for monitoring and controlling the plurality of mobile mining equipment concurrently with the first wireless network, including configuring a second set of wireless bridges comprising a plurality of second wireless bridges, each second wireless bridge positioned on one of the plurality of mobile mining equipment, to communicate according to a second radio frequency band substantially different from the first radio frequency band, wherein the second set of wireless bridges communicate substantially concurrently the same or substantially the same data transmitted by corresponding ones of the first set of wireless bridges.

26. The system according to claim 24, further comprising:

(a) means for monitoring, via at least the first wireless network, a first set of operating conditions associated with a mobile mining conveyor, wherein the mobile mining conveyor forms part of the plurality of mobile mining equipment; and

(b) means for commencing a shutdown sequence for a mobile slurry facility that forms part of the plurality of mobile mining equipment if, as one of the first set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile mining conveyor;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile mining conveyor;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile mining conveyor;

(iv) a communications failure with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(v) a misalignment of the mobile mining conveyor in association with the mobile slurry facility beyond a first predetermined set of alignment parameters.

27. The system according to claim 26, further comprising:

(a) means for monitoring, via at least the first wireless network, a second set of operating conditions associated with at least one of the mobile excavator, the mobile comminuting device and a hydro-transport booster pump; and

(b) means for commencing a shutdown sequence for the mobile slurry facility if, as one of the second set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile excavator or the hydro-transport booster pump, indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in downstream pumps associated with the hydro-transport booster pump;

(ii) a communications failure with the mobile excavator;

(iii) a communications failure with the mobile comminuting device; and

(iv) a communications failure with the hydro-transport booster pump.

28. The system according to claim 26, further comprising:

(a) means for monitoring, via at least the first wireless network, a third set of operating conditions associated with a mobile mining conveyor hopper associated with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(b) means for commencing a shutdown sequence for the mobile mining conveyor if, as one of the third set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor hopper indicating a communications failure with the mobile mining conveyor hopper.

29. The system according to claim 26, further comprising:

(a) means for monitoring, via at least the first wireless network, a fourth set of operating conditions associated with the mobile slurry facility; and

(b) means for commencing a shutdown sequence for the mobile mining conveyor if, as one of the fourth set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile slurry facility indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile slurry facility;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile slurry facility;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile slurry facility; and

(iv) a communications failure with the mobile slurry facility.

30. The system according to claim 26, further comprising:

(a) means for monitoring, via at least the first wireless network, a fifth set of operating conditions associated with the mobile mining conveyor hopper; and

(b) means for commencing a shutdown sequence for the mobile comminuting device if, as one of the fifth set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor hopper indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile mining conveyor hopper;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile mining conveyor hopper;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile mining conveyor hopper; and

(iv) a communications failure with mobile mining conveyor hopper.

31. The system according to claim 26, further comprising:

(a) means for monitoring, via at least the first wireless network, a sixth set of operating conditions associated with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(b) means for commencing a shutdown sequence for the mobile comminuting device if, as one of the sixth set of operating conditions, an error condition is detected in association with the mobile mining conveyor indicating at least one of;

(i) a failure in the operation of the mobile mining conveyor;

(ii) an emergency shutdown of the mobile mining conveyor;

(iii) a fire alarm associated with the mobile mining conveyor; and

(iv) a communications failure with mobile mining conveyor.

32. A system for real-time remote monitoring and control of mobile equipment, the system comprising:

(a) a plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers each positionable on a corresponding one of a plurality of mobile equipment, each of the plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers operative to collect a set of status and operational data from the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile equipment, and operative to control at least one feature of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile equipment;

(b) a plurality of first wireless bridges each positionable on at least one of the plurality of mobile equipment, each of the first wireless bridges operative to communicate according to a first radio frequency band, operative to transmit the first set of status and operational data for processing, and operative to receive data and instructions for controlling at least one of the plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers;

(c) a plurality of second wireless bridges each positionable on at least one of the plurality of mobile equipment, each of the second wireless bridges operative to communicate according to a second radio frequency band substantially different from the first radio frequency band, operative to transmit, concurrent with the same or substantially the same data transmitted by the plurality of first wireless bridges, the first set of status and operational data, and operative to receive, concurrent with the same or substantially the same data and instructions received by any of the plurality of first wireless bridges, data and instructions for controlling at least one of the plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers; and

(d) a host equipment control computer operative to communicate with plurality of mobile equipment via at least one of the plurality of mobile equipment, and operative to control at least a set of features on the plurality of mobile equipment, the host equipment control computer comprising an equipment monitoring and control program stored on a computer-readable media, the program comprising computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to;

(i) monitor for and process status and operational data specific to each of the plurality of mobile equipment, received via both the plurality of first wireless bridges and the plurality of second wireless bridges when positioned on the mobile equipment, including control data and run status data for each of the plurality of mobile equipment; and

(ii) provide at least part of each set of status and operational data for display on a user interface displayed on a display device connected to at least one of the host equipment control computer and a remote computer in communication with the host equipment control computer.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the equipment monitoring and control program comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to:

(i) provide a network activity alert signal to the user interface if at least one of the plurality of first wireless bridges and the plurality of second wireless bridges is interrupted, including if communication is lost for at least the predetermined time limit; and

(ii) provide an equipment failure alert signal if the run status data received in association with any of the plurality of mobile equipment indicates that the corresponding piece of mobile equipment has a failure falling within a predetermined class of critical failures, wherein the equipment failure alert signal identifies the corresponding piece of mobile equipment which has failed.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the equipment monitoring and control program comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to initiate, in response to the equipment failure alert signal, a first type of shutdown of at least the portion of the plurality of mobile equipment affected by the equipment failure, wherein the first type of shutdown is adapted to occur according to a first predetermined shutdown sequence adapted to the portion of the plurality of mobile equipment identified by the equipment failure alert signal as having the equipment failure.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the equipment monitoring and control program comprises computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to:

(i) monitor, according to a predetermined verification schedule, the operability of each of the plurality of first wireless bridges and each of the plurality of second wireless bridges by transmitting unique device identifiers to each of the plurality of first wireless bridges and each of the plurality of second wireless bridges and, for each unique device identifier transmitted, monitoring for receipt of a receipt confirmation signal in less than the predetermined time limit from the corresponding wireless bridge of the corresponding piece of mobile equipment;

(ii) provide a network failure alert signal to the user interface if at least one connection of the plurality of first wireless bridges and at least one connection of the plurality of second wireless bridges are concurrently interrupted for at least the predetermined time limit, wherein the network failure alert signal identifies which wireless bridges have had their communication interrupted; and

(iii) initiate, in response to the network failure alert signal, a second type of shutdown of at least the portion of the plurality of mobile equipment affected by the wireless bridges that have had their communication interrupted, wherein the second type of shutdown is adapted to occur according to a second predetermined shutdown sequence adapted for at least to the portion of the plurality of mobile equipment affected by the wireless bridges that have had their communication interrupted.

36. A system for real-time remote monitoring and control of mobile equipment, the system comprising:

(a) a plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers each positionable on a corresponding one of a plurality of mobile equipment, each of the plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers operative to collect a set of status and operational data from the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile equipment, and operative to control at least one feature of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile equipment;

(b) a plurality of first wireless bridges each positionable on at least one of the plurality of mobile equipment, each of the first wireless bridges operative to communicate according to a first radio frequency band, operative to transmit the first set of status and operational data for processing, and operative to receive data and instructions for controlling at least one of the plurality of equipment data collectors and controllers; and

(c) a host equipment control computer operative to communicate with plurality of mobile equipment via at least one of the plurality of mobile equipment, and operative to control at least a set of features on the plurality of mobile equipment, the host equipment control computer comprising an equipment monitoring and control program stored on a computer-readable media, the program comprising computer-readable instructions adapted to instruct the host equipment control computer to;

(i) monitor for and process status and operational data specific to each of the plurality of mobile equipment, received via the plurality of first wireless bridges when positioned on the mobile equipment, including control data and run status data for each of the plurality of mobile equipment; and

(ii) provide at least part of each set of status and operational data for display on a user interface displayed on a display device connected to at least one of the host equipment control computer and a remote computer in communication with the host equipment control computer.