US2009002186A1PendingUtilityA1

Inertial sensor tracking system

43
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Apr 11, 2006Filed: Jul 10, 2008Published: Jan 1, 2009
Est. expiryApr 11, 2026(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Russell Mark Breeding
G07C 9/28G01C 19/66G08B 21/02
43
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Claims

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

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
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.

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