INTEGRATED AUTOMATION SYSTEM FOR REGIONS WITH VARIABLE GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES

• US 20120046818A1
• Filed: 04/30/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Ltd. (Rio Tinto Limited)
• Original Assignee: Sydney The University of Business Liaison Office
• Inventors: Nettleton, Eric, Hennessy, Ross, Durrant-Whyte, Hugh, Göktogan, Ali Haydar
• Granted Patent: US 9,476,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 17/00 Methods or devices for use in mines or tunnels, not covered elsewhere mine lighting F21, H05B

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for effecting autonomous operations within a defined geographical region (1110). A plurality of localised zones (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108) having operation-defined geographical boundaries are specified within the region. A plurality of control modules are established associated with respective ones of the localised zones and autonomous operations are effected under the supervisory control of the control module associated with the localised zone in which the autonomous operation occurs. The geographical disposition of the boundary of at least one of the localised zones is varied within the defined geographical region.

Claims

1. A method of effecting autonomous operations within a defined geographical region, the method comprising:

a) specifying a plurality of localised zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the region;

b) establishing a plurality of control modules associated with respective ones of the localised zones;

c) effecting an autonomous operation under the supervisory control of the control module associated with the localised zone in which the autonomous operation occurs; and

d) varying the geographical disposition of the boundary of at least one of the localised zones within the defined geographical region, wherein at least one of the boundaries comprises a virtual barrier.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the boundaries comprises a physical barrier.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising:

specifying the virtual barrier with a positioning system.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising:

specifying a hierarchy of localised zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the region, wherein at least one localised zone is located within another localised zone.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising:

controlling movement of one or more mobile entities between localised zones.

7. The method of claim 6 comprising:

defining a transition zone between a first localised zone and an adjacent localised zone wherein controlling movement of the mobile entity comprises directing the mobile entity to pass through the transition zone if moving between the first zone and the adjacent zone.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the defined geographical region comprises an open pit mine site.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the localised zones comprise distinct mine operation areas selected from drilling, blasting, loading, haulage and plant areas of the mine.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the defined geographical region is selected from the group consisting of an agricultural region, a forestry region and a marine region containing at least one resource for extraction.

3. (canceled)

11. A mine automation system comprising:

a hierarchical system of automation modules that are each associated with a respective zone of a plurality of localised zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within a mine site; and

means for redefining the geographical disposition of at least one boundary.

12. A method of conducting an autonomous operation within a defined geographical region and which comprises:

establishing a localised zone having an operation-defined geographical boundary within the region, effecting the autonomous operation within the localised zone and, at incremental periods of time, varying the geographical disposition of the boundary of the localised zone within the defined geographical region.

13. An apparatus for effecting autonomous operations within a defined geographical region, the apparatus comprising:

a) means for specifying a plurality of localised zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the region;

b) means for establishing a plurality of control modules associated with respective ones of the localised zones;

c) means for effecting an autonomous operation under the supervisory control of the control module associated with the localised zone in which the autonomous operation occurs; and

d) means for varying the geographical disposition of the boundary of at least one of the localised zones within the defined geographical region, wherein at least one of the boundaries comprises a virtual barrier.

14. A computer program product comprising machine-readable code recorded on a machine-readable recording medium for controlling the operation of a data processing system on which the code executes to perform a method of effecting autonomous operations within a defined geographical region, the method comprising:

a) specifying a plurality of localised zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the region;

b) establishing a plurality of control modules associated with respective ones of the localised zones;

c) effecting an autonomous operation under the supervisory control of the control module associated with the localised zone in which the autonomous operation occurs; and

d) varying the geographical disposition of the boundary of at least one of the localised zones within the defined geographical region, wherein at least one of the boundaries comprises a virtual harrier.

15. (canceled)