Permission system for controlling interaction between autonomous vehicles in mining operation
US6799100B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0278
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A supervisory safety-control system is implemented by dividing a mine's territory into zones of free operation (“permission zones”) wherein a vehicle is allowed to move according to predetermined permission parameters but unhindered by other system constraints. Traffic of autonomous vehicles in each permission zone is controlled by the supervisory system in conjunction with and in addition to conventional safety constraints associated with the guidance system that effects the vehicle's tracking of predetermined trajectories. Permission zones are assigned and activated using criteria that ensure the vehicle will remain entirely within active zones so long as the vehicle acts within such predetermined permission parameters. Each permission zone is also associated with a maximum velocity profile that overrides guidance-system safety controls, if necessary, and ensures stoppage of the vehicle at the end of the permission zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.