Computerized mine production system
First Claim
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1. A method for tracking mobile equipment at a site, said method comprising the steps of:
- tracking information regarding a status of the mobile equipment with a mobile computer unit joined to the mobile equipment;
storing information regarding the status of the mobile equipment on the mobile computer unit joined to the mobile equipment;
transmitting information regarding the status of the mobile equipment from the mobile computer unit joined to the mobile equipment to a central computer unit; and
assigning tasks for mobile equipment including;
a step of evaluating cost for allocating each unallocated truck to the path using a weighted algorithm of excess travel time incurred by all trucks in an assignment set, the total truck waiting time incurred by all trucks in the assignment set, and a total loading unit idle time incurred by all shovels in the assignment set, further including;
a first step of creating an assignment set including an ordered queue of the mobile equipment assigned to each loading unit;
a second step of finding a neediest path which minimizes (mobile equipment travel time)*((average feed rate of the path)−
(target feed rate for the path));
as a third step, the step of evaluating cost for allocating each unallocated truck to the path using a weighted algorithm of excess travel time incurred by all trucks in an assignment set, the total truck waiting time incurred by all trucks in the assignment set, and a total loading unit idle time incurred by all shovels in the assignment set;
a fourth step of for the smallest total truck value for cost, allocating one of the mobile equipment to the assignment set; and
a fifth step of repeating said second through fourth steps until the assignment set with a minimum total cost is found.
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Abstract
The system contains a central computer unit having a first database controlled by a first logic unit. At least one mobile computer unit is joined with the mobile equipment. Each of the mobile computer units has a second database controlled by a second logic unit. At least one wireless communication device enables communication between said first logic unit and said second logic unit, wherein said mobile computer unit is operable independent of the first logic unit.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for tracking mobile equipment at a site, said method comprising the steps of:
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tracking information regarding a status of the mobile equipment with a mobile computer unit joined to the mobile equipment; storing information regarding the status of the mobile equipment on the mobile computer unit joined to the mobile equipment; transmitting information regarding the status of the mobile equipment from the mobile computer unit joined to the mobile equipment to a central computer unit; and assigning tasks for mobile equipment including; a step of evaluating cost for allocating each unallocated truck to the path using a weighted algorithm of excess travel time incurred by all trucks in an assignment set, the total truck waiting time incurred by all trucks in the assignment set, and a total loading unit idle time incurred by all shovels in the assignment set, further including; a first step of creating an assignment set including an ordered queue of the mobile equipment assigned to each loading unit; a second step of finding a neediest path which minimizes (mobile equipment travel time)*((average feed rate of the path)−
(target feed rate for the path));as a third step, the step of evaluating cost for allocating each unallocated truck to the path using a weighted algorithm of excess travel time incurred by all trucks in an assignment set, the total truck waiting time incurred by all trucks in the assignment set, and a total loading unit idle time incurred by all shovels in the assignment set; a fourth step of for the smallest total truck value for cost, allocating one of the mobile equipment to the assignment set; and a fifth step of repeating said second through fourth steps until the assignment set with a minimum total cost is found. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for tracking mobile equipment at a site comprising:
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means for tracking information regarding a status of the mobile equipment; means for storing information regarding the status of the mobile equipment on the mobile equipment; a graphical user interface on the mobile equipment, the graphical user interface displaying a map including all roads of the work site, the current locations of all mobile equipment units on the remote working site as well as path information for each loaded mobile equipment unit, an audio-visual alarm for misrouted loads as well as GPS velocity information along with real-time comparison with planned values; and means for transmitting information regarding the status of the mobile equipment from the mobile equipment to a central computer unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification